This is something that is pretty random on forum rules, not everyone is allows it and some allow proxies, what does your forum allow and why? Are proxies and VPN's something that forums have to look out for? What if a normal member uses a proxy/VPN and they are a dedicated member, would you ban them because of their choice to hide their IP, or let them be?
What's everyone's thoughts on people using VPN's/proxies?
I think anyone who chooses to not allow proxies or VPN's is making a bad decision. Everyone should have a right to privacy. Whether you're on staff or own your forum. Unless that person is breaking the rules or trolling or doing something they shouldn't. I think they have every right just as you or I to participate on a forum. To me. Proxies and VPN's have nothing to do with your forum. If someone wants to use TOR , CyberGhost, Browsec, or hidemyass.com....than that is their god given right. I will say that its not up to us to judge them for that.
Not anymore (too many issues with dupe. accounts and problem members). My forum uses a plugin that basically bans users who try to use the forum with them. Not really going to make any exceptions so if it is about privacy I guess they can't join the forum sadly. They are welcome to use incognito mode in their browser if they'd like a little privacy...which doesn't do much I know. I also question why members want to hide their ip's in the first place.
I'm not afraid of proxies, personally. I think the one real obstacle to creating duplicate accounts, and evading bans, is this: if you act like yourself on your duplicate account, then the moderators can catch you. If you don't act like yourself, then what's the point? Who wants to use a forum if they can't be themselves? 😛 So I'm personally fine with proxies. Just note though that if you do use a proxy, an experienced moderator can find out easily, and watch you more closely because of it, probably.
I personally don't care either way if a member uses a proxy or a VPN. We're there to chat & have a good time, not to stalk people.... If members want to feel more secure about their privacy, using a VPN is the way to go.
The problem is, some admins look up a shared IP address provided by a VPN service and think all those malicious activities that show up in the results were actually committed by the member in question on their forum. They are unaware that the IP actually is shared, probably used by thousands of different people and anyone can connect to that IP address at any time.
